Fire-escape.



W. HARTMANN, JR.

FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1909.

993,868, Patented May 30,1911.

W'ITNESSg 'INVENTOR o tt M ATTY.'

THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNTTED STATES WILLIAM HARTMANN, JR., OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

Application filed July 19, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM HARTMANN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of'which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to fire escapes, and the object of my invention is to provide a fire escape apparatus which may be quickly placed in position, and, when out of use, may be easily moved out of the way, together with such other elements and combinations as are hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed. T attain this object by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which the figure is a longitudinal section showing an elevation of parts of the apparatus.

In the sides of the box, A, is mounted a shaft, 'B. The drum, C, part-1y surrounds the shaft, B, but has an opening, D, there through allowing for the cable, E, to pass through and be attached to the shaft B. The cable E is a part of the rope ladder, F, which is constructed of rope or wires, provided with rungs, f, at frequent intervals, with the center cable, E, constructed of metal. There are thus, preferably, three cables, two on each side and one in the center. The rungs, f, extending across from one side to the other, engaging the central cable as well. The ladder is wound about the drum, C, with the center cable, E, as hereinbefore stated, elongated and secured to the shaft 13.

At each end of the shaft B, but within the box, A, I place a disk, G, having a serrated edge, g. Pivoted to the side of the box, A, preferably above the disk, K, is a lever, H, carrying a dog, J, meshing with the serrations, g, in the disk G. The end of the lever, H, also carries a dog K. The lever, H, and dogs J and K are used for winding up the ladder on the drum C. Each of the disks, G, is provided with an annular flange, L, on one side, with which the strap M engages. The strap, M, being secured by means of the spring N to the bottom of the box A. The resiliency of the spring N causing the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1911.

Serial No. 508,304.

strap M to be held tightly in contact with the flange L and act as a brake.

For the purpose of releasing the brakestrap I attach a cable, P, to the spring, N, which passes over a sheave, p, in contact with a sheave R, secured to the lever S. When the lever, S, is operated it will release the pull of the spring N on the strap, M, and therefore the flange L from contact with the spring. I connect a dog, T, with lever, S, and place a rack, TI, on the box, A, with which the dog T engages to hold the spring N distended after the lever S has been oper ated upon.

To one end of front of the box A I pivot an arm, V, which may have an extension arm, W, telescoping therein. The extension arm, XV, carries a disk, X, upon the periphery of which I preferably arrange a series of rollers, t, with which one of the cables forming the ladder, F, engages. I attach to the front of the box, A, a similar arm, V, and telescoping arm W and disk, X, with which the other cables of the ladder F engage.

For the purpose of keeping the ladder from coming in too close contact with the wall of the house when the fire escape is in position I place a series of disks, Z, on the rungs, f, which will prevent the ladder from coming close to the wall of the building. On the extension arm, W, I place the adjusting block, 20, which may rest on the window sill, s, for the purpose of holding the disk, Z, in proper position out of the window or other opening.

A handle bar 2 is pivoted to the front of the box A and may act as a measure to show the distance that the box A should stand from the wall when in use. The box A is usually mounted upon casters or rollers, 3, 3. lVhen not in use, by means of a pulley, 4, and chain, 5, I may pull the arm, V, and telescoping arm, "W, up out of the way.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a fire escape, the combination with a box or casing, of a reel mounted therein, a flexible ladder carried by said reel, telescoping arms pivoted to the front of said casing near the bottom thereof, wheels or disks mounted on the ends of the outer sections In testimony whereof I have afiixed my of said arms over which the ladder runs, a signature in presence of two Witnesses. bl k (1' st bl no nted on sad 0 te' s 0c a a y 1 1 u 1 e0 WILLIAM HARTMANN, JR.

tions and adapted to engage the Window sill .5 or other support said arms being adjustable Witnesses:

for sills of different heights and for Walls of FREDERICK WV. CAMERON, difi'erent thickness. Lorrm PRIOR.

Copies of this patent may be :btained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

